How to Determine if a Car Battery Needs Replacement?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if a car battery needs replacement are: 1. The car battery shows obvious swelling, deformation, or bulging; 2. The car is extremely difficult to start, and charging has no effect, indicating the battery's lifespan is exhausted; 3. Check the observation hole of the car battery—the normal state is green. If it's any other color, it means the battery's lifespan has expired. Functions of the battery: 1. To power the engine starting system, ignition system, and the car; 2. To supply power to the car's electrical equipment when the engine is off or at low idle speed; 3. To participate in power supply when the electrical demand exceeds the generator's supply capacity; 4. To act as a voltage stabilizer for the entire vehicle's electrical system, mitigating impact voltage in the system and protecting the car's electronic equipment.
As an experienced driver who has been driving for many years, I have several practical methods to determine if a battery needs replacement. First, check the battery's age—generally, batteries should be replaced after three to five years of use because aging batteries experience internal structural degradation, making them prone to issues. Second, observe the condition when starting the car—if the engine cranks slowly or there's a clicking sound and flickering lights during startup, it indicates insufficient battery charge. Third, measure the voltage manually—use a simple voltmeter to check the battery terminals when the car is off; if the voltage is below 12.4 volts, it's best to replace it. Fourth, inspect the battery's appearance—if the casing is swollen, leaking, or the terminals are corroded and turning green, these are signs that the battery is nearing the end of its lifespan. Fifth, drive to a professional repair shop and have them test the battery's health using their equipment—this is more accurate and hassle-free. For daily maintenance, I recommend avoiding excessive battery discharge by minimizing electrical usage after turning off the engine, which can slightly extend its life. Regularly check and clean the terminals yourself, or keep an emergency jump starter in the car to avoid the hassle of being stranded. A sudden battery failure can compromise safe driving, so early detection and action are the safest approaches.
